What information do policy makers need to develop climate adaptation plans for smallholder farmers? The case of Central America and Mexico

Camila I. Donatti (), Celia A. Harvey (), M. Ruth Martinez-Rodriguez (), Raffaele Vignola () and Carlos Manuel Rodriguez ()
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Camila I. Donatti: The Betty and Gordon Moore Center for Science
Celia A. Harvey: The Betty and Gordon Moore Center for Science
M. Ruth Martinez-Rodriguez: The Betty and Gordon Moore Center for Science
Raffaele Vignola: Climate Change and Watershed Program
Carlos Manuel Rodriguez: Policy Center for Environment and Peace

Climatic Change, 2017, vol. 141, issue 1, No 8, 107-121

Abstract: Abstract Scientific and technical information can increase the ability of policy makers to make strategic decisions. However, climate change policy is often formulated without significant input from science. We examine whether the availability and accessibility of information related to climate change is a major barrier for policy action on climate change adaptation for smallholder farmers. We also investigate whether scientific information related to climate change is available and used in policy making in Central America and Mexico. Our online survey of 105 decision makers indicated that a lack of scientific and technical information hinders policy makers from developing policies to help smallholder farmers adapt to climate change. Specific needs include information on the impacts of climate change on water availability for agriculture and the areas that are or will be prone to flooding, droughts or landslides. Information about the location of the farmers who are most vulnerable to climate change, the projected temperature and precipitation in agricultural areas and the expected impacts of climate change on crop yields or animal productivity, is also needed. Despite high interest in having scientific information guide policy making, many respondents indicated that policy makers rarely use this information in adaptation planning. In addition to ensuring that relevant information is available to inform policy making, technical and scientific information must be published in venues that are readily accessible for policy makers, easy to understand, and written in a format that is policy-relevant. It is also critical that scientific articles provide specific recommendations for achieving desired policy outcomes.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1007/s10584-016-1787-x

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